My Nike Golf Dream Bag

When Bob asked me to write this article I had to really think about it. What would be in my Nike Dream Bag? I could choose what I wanted; any model, any year, anything…sparing no expense after all it is my dream bag right? Funny thing is; I couldn’t really come up with anything other than what I’m playing. Sure there are some wedge lofts and grinds that I would tweak and I would like to see some of the Method putters offered for us left handers, maybe a glued version of the VR Pro fairway woods but, for the most part I have my Dream Bag!

PUTTERSI started off thinking about putters, and right now I’m playing a Nike Method 001. It’s a great flat stick and one I have a love hate relationship with. My game comes and goes with the putter and driver. When I’m “on” rolling the rock, I can put together some impressive rounds but, when I’m not it can get ugly. So…for dream bag purposes I’ll ask The Oven to produce a lefty version of the 002 and 003 Methods for testing. I can’t make any promises that they will end up in the bag but, I would at least like to have the option.

WEDGESNike is producing the VR Pro and Cast V-Rev in their 2011 line and to be honest I haven’t hit either. I currently play the Black Satin Victory Red wedges and just recently bought a new back-up set. The Victory Red wedges are rough on golf balls but, are consistent and right now good for my game. The change to the new grooves is inevitable with my hopes of qualifying for the US Open at Pinehurst in 2014 (my home state) but, I’m sticking with the old grooves as long as possible.

IRONSI have hit both the 2011 VR Blades and the VR Combos and both are fantastic clubs. Kudos to Nike for producing both sets for us lefties. On my good days the VR Blades are great but, if the swing is not quite there, I like (and need) the forgiveness the Combos offer in the longer clubs. While I would have no problem playing the 2011 VR Combos, I’m bagging the 2002 Pro Combo Tours. I also have a back-up set of those still in the plastic. In my opinion, this is the best set of irons Nike has ever produced.

HYBRIDS AND FAIRWAY WOODSThis is where things get tricky. I’m not a huge fan of hybrids and I don’t carry one at this time. I see the benefit and I’m definitely not opposed to them, I just haven’t found one I hit as consistently as I do a three or four iron. As for my fairway set-up, I carry both a VR Pro three and five wood. The Str8-fit hosel was a little distracting at first and once I found my ideal setting I haven’t changed it so a glued version would be a plus but, the Sta8-Fit hosel is not a deal breaker. In fact, if you like to tinker adjusting the settings is both fun and interesting to see the change in ball flight.

DRIVERSI have the Victory Red Tour, the VR Pro Tour, the SQ Machspeed Black round version all of which I hit ok but, for some reason I keep coming back to the SQ Sumo 2. The consistency is second to none and I just have a certain confidence with it. I don’t hit it quite as far as I do either of the other drivers but, for me it’s a fairway finder and that’s the most important thing off the tee.

It’s a lot of fun to think about a dream bag. Nothing to worry about, it’s easy to add the $300 shaft upgrades, having the exact lofts and grinds produced and for us lefties having the same choices that the right handed players take for granted. So let’s hear it…what’s in your Dream Bag? Here is mine (actual bag):